Skaden; Kattene 1845

Adolph Kittendorff created this print, "Skaden; Kattene," sometime in the 19th century. During this period, Denmark experienced significant social and economic changes, evolving from an agrarian society to one influenced by industrialization and urbanization. The print offers two scenes: one a bucolic image with a man, horse and barn, and the other depicts cats around a barrel. While seemingly simple, the imagery evokes the shifting roles of humans and animals in society. The cats, engaged in their own world, might reflect the growing detachment from rural life. Are these domestic cats, farm cats, or feral cats? Kittendorff, who lived through these transformations, may be inviting us to consider our relationship with the natural world and the impact of progress on traditional ways of life. The artwork encapsulates a sense of nostalgia, perhaps questioning what is gained and lost as society evolves. It’s a reflection on identity and belonging, both for us and for the creatures that share our world.